Author's Note:
This story evolved as an as I went thing with no real end in mind. It was more of a character exploration of "what would happen if..." So enjoy this bitter exploration into hurt, healing and hope.
Be warned, since I haven't followed the series closely in years or seen the Final Act, I'm pretty sure some things won't fit into cannon.
Of Pride and Power
Chapter 13: Silence
Time drifted at the pace of a frozen river as Kagome floated through the plane between past and present. Despite the chill of nothingness surrounding her, Kagome's heart and cheeks proved warm, heated by the nearly tangible hope of seeing her family once more. A grin brightened her lips even as tears lifted from her skin to float behind her, returning to the time that had caused them. Finally after a year spent tragically following the vile murderer of her loved ones, Kagome was free.
Suddenly, a flash of warm sunlight embraced Kagome as her journey came to its end. Sandaled feet eagerly found earth to stand on...and water. Panic towards the unexpected seized Kagome's chest as water poured into her lungs causing her to sputter, splash and choke.
In her frantic flailing, hands caught hers and with grunts and groans from her savior, Kagome was pulled up and dragged from the well. Her palms and knees found stone and a hand heartily thumped against her back as her lungs exchanged liquid for air.
"You're a priestess!" exclaimed a breathless youth at her side, his voice airy and brimming with awe.
Water stung her eyes and sunlight blinded her vision, but a blurred shape of a boy was outlined. "Sota?" she called; even as the name left her lips, inwardly, Kagome knew better. This boy wasn't her brother no matter how much she desperately wished he was.
"A priestess!" he repeated joyfully before scrambling to his feet. "H-hold on! Stay here, I'll get help." Bare feet slapped against stone as the boy sprinted from the well, his shouts carrying into the courtyard surrounding them.
Kagome's balance swayed and her side collapsed against the well for support. Even with her human ears, Kagome knew the sound wasn't right. Where were the cars and the traffic? Where were the planes, hum of air conditioners, phones and televisions? The striking difference between past and present wasn't necessarily the dress, patterns of speech or ancient culture , but the overall silence.
And even as Kagome's head dizzied with the sickening sense of foreboding, all she heard was silence.